Vehicle approach notification apparatus for electric motorcycle

Abstract

An electric motorcycle includes a front cover for covering a head pipe of a vehicle body frame from a forward direction and a speaker for notifying an individual, such as a walker or the like, of the approach of a vehicle. The speaker has a sound emitting direction directed forwardly on the vehicle body and is disposed at a position on the opposite side to a key cylinder of a main switch, which is disposed in a vehicle body sideward direction of the head pipe, across the head pipe. A front stay support a front carrier disposed on the vehicle body front side of the front cover and is attached to the vehicle body front side of the head pipe is provided on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover. The speaker is disposed above the front stay as viewed in front elevation of the vehicle body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-221599 filed on Sep. 30, 2010 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a vehicle approach notification apparatus for an electric motorcycle, and more particularly to a vehicle approach notification apparatus for an electric motorcycle that issues a notification sound for notifying a walker or the like of approach of an electric motorcycle.[0004]2. Description of Background Art[0005]In recent years, in the development of the electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the driving sound when the vehicle is operated by an electric motor is weak in comparison with the driving sound of an engine vehicle. Thus, an individual, such as a walker or the like, is less likely to hear an approaching electric or hybrid vehicle. Thus, an appropriate c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric motorcycle is a saddle type vehicle that includes a front cover for covering a head pipe of a vehicle body frame from a forward direction, and the speaker has the sound emitting direction directed forwardly on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover and is disposed at the position on the opposite side to the key cylinder of the main switch, which is disposed in a vehicle body sideward direction of the head pipe, across the head pipe. Therefore, in the electric motorcycle, the speaker can be disposed at a comparatively high position sidewardly of the head pipe, and also where the speaker is of a small size, generation of sound to an individual, such as a walker, can be placed in a good state. Further, it is easy to assure a disposition space for the speaker with a space on the opposite side to the main switch. In addition, the layout of a wiring line for the speaker is facilitated since the main switch and the speaker are disposed in the proximity of each other.

[0034]According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor main body of the throttle opening sensor is disposed at the position below the key cylinder on the vehicle body rear side of the front cover, and the throttle cable connected to the sensor main body passes in an arcuately curved state between the head pipe and the speaker forwardly of the head pipe and is connected to the pulley attached to the sensor main body. Therefore, the arcuate portion of the acceleration wire extends along the upward and downward direction in the proximity of the head pipe without interference with the speaker. Consequently, a disposition in which the wire is less likely to be influenced by a rotating operation for steering can be achieved.

Problems solved by technology

Further, when the speaker is attached to an electric motorcycle which has a limited surplus space on the front face thereof in comparison with a four-wheeled vehicle, since a very large speaker cannot be applied, the positioning of a speaker of a comparatively small size with a high notification effect is required.

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